Task Simplification & Representative Learning Tools for Judo & Beyond w/ Cal Jones
Mar 13, 2023
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Cal Jones, a Judo expert, discusses using constraints-led approach in martial arts, task simplification, and safe warmups. He reveals not teaching breakfalls, importance of constraints, and dynamic game-like warmups. Also touches on memory in Ecological Dynamics theory.
Controlling representative learning design is crucial for effective martial arts training, avoiding over-constraining methods for skill development.
Teaching judo throws with minimal instruction and focusing on situational sparring enhances skill acquisition and avoids unrealistic behaviors in training.
Creating contextually-driven practice tasks that mirror real-world scenarios improves skill acquisition by providing a rich learning environment.
Deep dives
Using the Constraint-Sled Approach in Martial Arts Training
Cal Jones discusses the concept of using a constraint-sled approach for martial arts, especially grappling sports. He explains the importance of controlling and understanding representative learning design, emphasizing the significance of not over-constraining the training methods. Cal also touches on task simplification, teaching judo throws to beginners with minimal instruction, and the adverse effects of creating unrealistic behaviors through training.
Teaching Breakfalls and Safe Warmups in Judo
Cal Jones shares his unique approach to teaching breakfalls in Judo. He emphasizes practical learning in a dynamic and game-like manner for safe warmups, focusing on situational sparring to simulate real competition scenarios. Cal highlights the importance of not over-restricting movements and creating a balance between constraints to enhance skill development.
Exploring Representative Learning Design in Martial Arts Training
Cal Jones elaborates on the concept of representative learning design in martial arts training. He discusses the use of practice tasks to assess the representativeness of training methods, emphasizing the importance of creating tasks that mirror real-world scenarios. Cal explains how situational sparring and specific outcomes can enhance skill acquisition by providing a contextually rich learning environment.
Challenging Traditional Training Methods in Martial Arts
Cal Jones questions the effectiveness of traditional training methods like Uchi Komi in martial arts. He advocates for a shift towards more contextually-driven and game-like approaches to practice, focusing on skill acquisition that aligns with real-world combat scenarios. Cal emphasizes the limitations of decomposed skill training and the benefits of creating dynamic, task-oriented training sessions.
Understanding Memory and Skill Acquisition in Martial Arts
The discussion delves into the complexities of memory and skill acquisition in martial arts. Cal Jones differentiates between remembering and knowing, highlighting the importance of attunement to environmental cues rather than recalling pre-learned motor programs. He underlines the significance of a person-environment fit in skill development, emphasizing the interplay between environmental context and adaptive skill performance.
Enhancing Skill Persistence and Adaptation in Training
The conversation explores the challenges of skill persistence and adaptation in martial arts training. Cal Jones discusses the concept of attractor wells and hysteresis, which influence movement patterns and resist change. He emphasizes the need for deliberate practice in evolving skill sets, focusing on creating a person-environment fit to promote adaptive learning and skill development.
Today I'm joined by Cal Jones, a 5th dan in Judo and one of the most qualified Judo coaches in the UK, especially Wales.
In this episode, Cal Jones fills in some gaps with how to use the constraints-led approach for martial arts, specifically grappling sports.
First, he walks us through a system of understanding and controlling the degrees of representative learning design. This is a tool from an academic paper he's in the process of publishing with a research journal.
Then Cal walks us through task simplification and how to teach Judo throws to beginners with minimal instruction and no reps or drills. Of note here is his discussion on how you use constraints and why you should never "overconstrain." While many people think that CLA is about "just doing jabs" or "just going for arm bars," that's actually not how CLA is supposed to work because it creates unrealistic behaviors.
Also of interest, Cal even reveals that he doesn't teach breakfalls -- and there are big Judo teachers who aren't ecological who also don't teach breakfalls either. He also addresses how he conducts safe warmups in a dynamic and game-like fashion. And we even sneak in a short discussion on memory in the Ecological Dynamics theory.
So if you're excited to jump in, hit the subscribe button on your podcatcher and enjoy the show. --- Join the email list now: combatlearning.com/newsletter --- Find Cal Jones:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalJonesJudo --- Produced by Micah Peacock Intro Theme by Micah Peacock Outro Music is Synergy by Juche
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